Muslims themselves disagree over how, if at all, these penalties should be practised in the modern world.

ECONOMIST: Sharia in the West

That is the leader that will discipline the rotten Nigerian society before any economic or political democracy can be practised in the country.

BBC: News | Africa | Nigeria's future: What you think

The philosophy, ritualistic background, culture and traditional knowledge of sailing in the Persian Gulf are gradually fading, although some of the associated ceremonies continue to be practised in a few places.

UNESCO: Intangible Cultural Heritage

In strictly cash terms, Russia might be well advised to declare defeat on the big-farm front, scaling it back to the few regions in the south-west and around the big cities where it can be practised profitably, and buying more food more cheaply overseas.

ECONOMIST: Russia��s farms